Expert: Anne - 9/20/2010

Question
I was recently at fault in a car accident, I was stopped in
a right turn lane and took my foot of the break as the car
in front on me started to go. They hit their break and I
didn't in time and "tapped" them. It wasn't at a high speed
or anything but the person I hit was on the phone with
police before I even got to her car to ask how they were.
They said they were dizzy and then later on said they were
ok. The only damage to the car is scrapped paint on the
bumper where my license plate hit them.
My insurance agent called me and said her attorney called
them and is filling a claim, i told him what happened. I was
wondering what is the process that will happen? Will I have
to pay anything? Just really I am not sure what is going on
with the insurance agent and that and I would like to have
some idea.

Thank you.

Answer
Hello Billy,

This question is better answered by your insurance agent. They MUST explain the claim process to you. That's why you pay insurance for. If they refuse to explain, do consider changing insurance companies.

Most of the time, this claim would be investigated. You insurance company (if you have liability coverage) will send an adjuster out to look at your car and evaluate damages.

They look at the vehicle and they will likely call this a "low speed vehicle impact" (LSVI).

This means that the settlement would be lower and they will not get much money out of this if they cannot prove the damages were substantial (they can show that the driver of that vehicle had a pre existing injury, in which case, damages can be substantial).

You should not have to pay anything, unless you don't have liability coverage.

Again, call your insurance company (the claims department) and talk to your adjuster. They can give you more clarity on this.

Also, here is a good outline of how the process works:

http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/Claim-Investigation.html


Good Luck,
Anne
http://www.quirogalawoffice.com/